Articulated boats



June 25, 1968 A. CUESTA ARTICULATED BOATS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July19, 1965 INVENTOR Antonio Cuesra ATTORNEYS June 25, 1968 A. CUE STAARTICULATED BOATS 5 Sheets-Sheet :3

Filed July 19, 1965 INVENTOR N m8 mm Anton/'0 Cuesla ATTORNEYS June 25,1968 cu sT 3,389,673

ARTICULATED BOATS Filed July 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 n a k IN VE NTOR, A mom'o Cues fa ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,389,673ARTICULATED BOATS Antonio Cuesta, 2155 SW. 5th St, Miami, Fla. 33135Filed July 19, 1965, Ser. No. 472,763

12 Claims. (Cl. 114-71) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Boats having hullswith relatively low freeboard amid ships and having watertight cabinsresiliently supported above the center of the hull and having variableangle decks resiliently supported within the cabins are described.

This invention concerns having relatively movable hulls and cabins.Disclosed herein are novel hulls, and cabins and decks supported abovehulls by springs.

Manufacture of modern motors of great horsepower and creation ofefficient planing hulls have produced boats capable of high speeds. Highspeeds are associated with problems of pounding and handlingdlfi'lClllllGS which heretofore have not had adequate solution. Theseproblems cause passenger discomfort and difficult handling which maylimit the cruising speed of boats far below capacities of their enginesand hulls.

Designers and engineers have tried to solve buifeting problems, whichoccur at speeds over 18 knots, and which are encountered even whentravelling in relatively calm waters. To solve the problems many changesin structure and design have been tried, varying from the flat hulls todeep V structures. Many high speed hulls are disclosed in an article byConrad Miller, A History of Fast Hulls Told in Patents, Rudder, July1964. Although the problem has been alleviated, a definite solution hasnot been reached. Deep V hulls which offer smoother rides, increasewetted surface of the vessels and consequently increase drag.

The articulated boat of the present invention overcomes bufieting andcontrol problems experienced at high speed by absorbing shock betweenrugged hulls, cabins and passenger decks. Cabins or floating decks maybe hinged to transoms of boats to permit vertical rotation of the deckor cabin against forward springs. Hinges in turn prevent lateralrelative motion between cabin and hull. Pivoting aft and springingforward is desirable because bufileting blows are most evident forwardof centers of boats. Decks may be equipped with an adjustable levelingdevice astern which will allow the decks to be rotated about the forwardfixed springs. Raising after portions of the decks neutralizes the angleof the boat not only giving a smooth comfortable ride to crews, but alsoimproving visibility.

Cabins are supported on solid lower hulls of conventional bottom design.Solid lower hulls are completely sealed on top, and completely enclosedfuel and water tanks. Remainders of the hulls are filled with waterimpermeable expanded material such as polystyrene. Engine compartmentspreferably occupy stems of the hulls. Fixed to external decks of thehulls are supension systems employing springs placed so that they willsupport balanced pressures according to congo carried, weightdistribution of the crew cabins and speed and intensity of wavesexpected at cruising speed. The spring systems may be pneumatic or maybe comprised of coil springs, leaf springs or torsion bars similar tosuspension systems used in cars, trucks and buses. Shock absorbersprevent excess relative movement and limit spring recoil. Interiors ofthe cabins may be of conventional construction or cabin and cargo holdsmay be separated.

ice

Articulated boats comprise solid lower hulls, upper cabins and floorsarticulated by suspension systems and shock absorbers. Bases of aftersprings may b'eraised hydraulically or pneumatically at will tocompensate for pitch angles which crafts assume under way at highspeeds. Springs between hulls and cabins have additional effects ofmaintaining relatively uniform water contact. Because the boat isyieldable, it is less likely to be lifted from the water with resultantlosss of control. In this manner, great comfort and improved visibilityand handling characteristics are achieved.

Advantages obtained by using articulated hulls and variable angle floorsare several. Unprecedented reductions in buffeting and lurching resultin crafts safely and comfortably navigating at high speeds. Sea impactsreceived by solid lower hulls are neutralized by springs and shockabsorbers, and few shocks are transmitted to the crew cabin. Severemovements are further neutralized by suspended docks in the crew cabins.

One of the greatest hazards in navigation is the accumulation of gasesinside hulls where motors are placed, and where gasoline is stored. Witha slightest spark, dangerous explosions may occur. In the presentinvention, fuel tanks are located in solid lower hulls which arehermatically sealed, excluding the possibility of any escaping gases.Engine compartments are sealed off from fuel storage tanks, offeringfurther safety. If gases should escape, they would be carried awayinstantly by air freely circulating in the open spaces between lowerbulls and cabins.

Cabins are self buoyant, and in improbable cases of severe damage tolower hulls, springs and shock absorbers, hinges and lifts aredetachable from lower hulls. Releasing springs, shock absorbers, liftsand fairings, launches self buoyant cabins as life boats.

All boats proceeding at moderate speeds are effected by cross currents.Lateral waves roll boats and cause crafts to drift. The low free boardof the center portions of the novel hulls pass waves, reducing roll anddrift.

In conventional boats, buffeting results in unbalance in the craft,which adversely effects planing angle, and which lowers speed. Thearticulated boat absorbs the buffeting as a result of spring suspensionand shock absorbers and the angle of pitch under way is less subject todeviating forces of waves. High speeds may be maintained even undersevere conditions. With the articulating boat and its capacity to absorbbuffeting Waves, more efficient planing hulls may be used. Thus it ispossible to use almost flat bottoms, with their desirable planingcharacteristics,

low fuel consumption, and top speed.

angular deck. By using the novel suspension system under angularlyadjustable decks, undesirable effects are neutralized and crafts resultthat are safer to handle and smoother to sail and maneuver.

One object of this invention is the provision of an improved hull.

A second object of the invention is the provision of suspended cabinsfor boats.

This invention has as another objective the provision of improvedhandling and more comfortably riding hullcabin combinations.

A further objective of the invention is the provision of variable angledecks.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the specificationand from the drawings in which:

.FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of hull and cabin, inwhich the cabin is partially cut awa to reveal deck suspensionstructure;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation similar to FIGURE 1, showing forward springscompressed, as in the case of buffetin FI GURE 3 is a side elevation ofa craft having hinged cabin and floor;

FIGURE 4 is a section of the craft shown in FIGURE 3, taken along line2-2 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cabin cruiser modification of the novel craft; and

FIGURE 6 is an outboard modification.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a fast inboard, inboard-outboard, or outboardcraft is generally indicated by numeral 100. Under way at high speed,the rear portion of hull 110 is lowered. Springs 164 support the bottom.160 of cabin 140 above central deck 126 of bull 110. Shock absorbers162 limit travel of cabin 140 with respect to hull 110 and dampen recoilof springs 164.

Variable angle deck 170 with its passenger seat 175 are supportedforward by fixed springs 172. Shock absorbers 174 limit travel andrecoil of the forward portion of the deck. Hydraulic or penumaticactuator 180 and piston 182 control vertical positioning of spring 186and vary the angle of deck 170 with respect to cabin 140. Upon hitting awave, bow 112 of hull is lifted, and forward springs 164 and 174, whichsupport the cabin and variable angle deck, are compressed as shown inFIGURE 2. Engine compartment 116 is located aft the cabin, and the cabinis spaced from forward wall .130 of the engine compartment to preventtransmission of engine noise and vibrations. Laterally impinging wavesfreely pass over deck 126 between the hull and overlying cabin.

A second embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by thenumeral 200 in FIGURE 3. Fuel and water tanks 122 and 124 occupy thecentral portion of the hull. Springs 164 and shock absorbers 162 supportcabin 140 above central deck 226 of the hull. Hinge 250 is secured tothe forward wall 130 of the after engine compartment, and cabin 140rotates about hinge 250 within the limits of springs 164 and shockabsorbers 162. Deck 170 is articulated within cabin 140 by hinge .180and springs 172. FIGURE 4 is a section through the craft shown in FIGURE'3 taken along line 2-2, showing relative positions of hull, cabin, deckand suspension systems.

A cabin cruiser modification 300 is shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.Central portion 320 of the hull is filled with a water impermeableexpanded material. Gasoline and water tanks 332 and 324 may be enclosedin the central portion. The upper deck of the central portion is awashto reduce drift and roll effect of lateral waves and to vent possiblefumes from the fuel storage tanks. An inboard engine 305, located in theafter engine compartment of the hull, propels the craft. Air springs 364are inflated to a degree commensurate with planned operating environmentof the craft. Shock absorbers 362 limit vertical travel and horizontalmovement of cabin 340 with respect to the hull. Floating floor 370 issupported above the bottom of cabin 340 by air springs 374.

An outboard motor 405 drives craft 400 as shown in FIGURE 6. The entirebottom 420 of the hull is filled with expanded polystyrene material.Seats 475 and 476 which are mounted directly on the deck 460 of thecabin arecushioned by air springs and shock absorbers 462.

Although this invention has been disclosed by specific embodiment, itwill be obvious to one skilled in the art that many other applicationsmay be made Without departing from the scope of the invention. Limits ofthe invention are expressed only in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A boat comprising:

an outer hull;

an inner passenger cabin movcable within said hull;

and a plurality of springs interconnecting said hull and said cabin andsupporting all of said cabin above and spaced from said hull; and

relative travel limiting means interconnecting said hull and said cabin.

2. The boat of claim 1 further comprising:

a deck supported within said cabin;

hinge means interconnecting one longitudinal end of said deck with saidcabin;

at least one spring interposed between said cabin and said deck.

3. The boat of claim 1 further comprising:

a deck supported within the cabin;

at least one spring positioned forward between said cabin and said deck;and

at least one extensible lifting device positioned aft between said deckand said cabin.

4. The boat of claim 1, wherein a lower medial portion of said hullcomprises a body filled with expanded material defining separate fueland water storage cavities, and wherein said hull comprises an openengine well.

5. The boat of claim 1 wherein said hull comprises a how; a stern; and amedial portion between said bow and said stern, said medial portionhaving a relatively low freeboard with respect to said bow and saidstern.

6. The boat of claim 5, wherein said medial portion is awash.

7. The boat of claim 1, wherein said cabin and said hull are rotatablyinterconnected adjacent an upper and after portion of said cabin.

8. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cabin is exposed laterally withrespect to said hull.

9. An articulated boat comprising:

an hull having:

a bow, a stern, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said bow andsaid stern, said stern defining engine supporting structure and saidmedial portion comprising a sealed body filled with expanded fluidimpermeable material, and defining fuel and water cavities, said medialportion describing a relatively low freeboard with respect to said bowan said stern;

a cabin supported above said hull, said cabin defining a water tightbottom, sides, front and back;

a plurality of springs interconnecting said hull and the bottom of saidcabin;

movement limiting means interconnecting the bottom of said cabin andsaid hull.

10. The articulated boat of claim 9 further comprising at least onehinge interconnecting an after and upper portion of the back of saidcabin with said stem.

11. The articulated hull of claim 9 further comprising a deck supportedwithin said cabin and at least one spring interposed between said deckand the bottom of said cabin.

12. The articulated boat of claim 9, wherein said at least one spring ispositioned forward with respect to said cabin and said deck, and furthercomprising extensible means interposed between an after portion of saiddeck and the bottom of said cabin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 950,871 3/1910 Schmidt 114-653,207,112 9/1965 Fox 114-65 3,255,471 6/1966 Shafer et al. 9-6

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner.

